Catchfence

Richard Childress Racing

Race: Southern Illinois 100 presented by Federated Car Care

Location: DuQuoin State Fairgrounds

Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing in the ARCA Racing Series … Tim George Jr. has competed in the first 15 races of 2010 under the RCR banner and plans to complete the full 2010 season in the No. 31 RCR Development Chevrolet Impala. Ty Dillon made one ARCA Racing Series start for RCR this season, driving to a second-place finish after starting on the pole at Iowa Speedway. Austin Dillon drove the No. 31 Chevrolet in four ARCA Racing Series starts over the last two seasons and Kevin Harvick raced in two ARCA events for RCR in 1999.

Twitter … Follow Tim George Jr. on his official Twitter page – @TimGeorgeJr and follow RCR’s Twitter page – @RCRracing.

ARCA Nation … Cast your vote for Tim George Jr. in ARCA Nation’s Most Post Popular Driver contest presented by National Speed Sport News by visiting the driver’s ARCA Nation page – http://www.arcanation.com/rcr31.

Catch the Action … Tune into the ARCA Racing Network at http://www.arcaracing.com for live timing and scoring and a live audio broadcast of the Southern Illinois 100 at 1 p.m. Central/ 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, Sept. 6.

Tim George Jr.

This Week’s RCR Chevrolet at DuQuoin … Tim George Jr. will pilot chassis No. 167 from the Richard Childress Racing ARCA Racing Series stable in this weekend’s Southern Illinois 100. George raced this chassis to a 15th-place finish after starting 29th at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in August. In its previous life, this Chevrolet was raced in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2006 and 2007.

DuQuoin Stats … Tim George Jr. has one previous ARCA start at DuQuoin, finishing 23rd after starting 11th after involvement in an incident in the 2009 edition of the race.

Dirt Tracking … Although George’s racing roots are in the asphalt road racing ranks, his experience on dirt has been ramped up significantly this season through his association with Team Dillon Racing. The New York, N.Y., native has run a limited schedule of both dirt and paved late model races throughout the Southeast for TDR in 2010.

What’s with that Nose? … The No. 31 RCR Development team got creative in the ARCA Racing Series’ last dirt track appearance. The Gere Kennon-led team fastened hundreds of tie wraps to the front nose piece of the car, giving the black, red and white Chevrolet the appearance of having whiskers. Look for similar modifications to the No. 31 this weekend as a precautionary measure to keep the front grill free of dirt and therefore avoid overheating.

All About Points … George is currently ninth in the ARCA Racing Series point standings, heading into race 15 of the 20-race schedule.

Tim George Jr.

You’re last ARCA race was at Chicagoland Speedway. How did it go?

“The car was a bullet while the sun was up. We loosened up a ton after the middle of the race. The guys had very fast pit stops, but I think we missed a bit on setup. At one point, we were up front, and I wish I could have finished up there. Scott Wimmer did a great job helping out and I look forward to our next intermediate effort. However, for now, I will focus my attention on the upcoming dirt race at DuQuoin.”

Talk about the diversity of the ARCA Racing Series…

“ARCA is a very diverse series. Going from a short track, to a road course, to a dirt track, to an intermediate track and now back to a dirt track this weekend, requires a broad skill set of driving abilities. I feel like the dirt racing helps me tremendously with car control. My crew guys have been bringing great cars to the track, and this has helped me continue to improve and gain confidence.”

You’ve spent a lot of time this season with the guys at Team Dillon Racing, competing in short track dirt and asphalt late model events. Have those dirt races helped prepare you for dirt track racing in the ARCA Racing Series?

“Getting some experience with Team Dillon Racing in dirt late model stock cars has been helpful to my car control on asphalt. I believe it will help me with the two ARCA dirt races as well. There are some differences, as the ARCA car doesn’t get as sideways as a ‘pure’ dirt car, but after running with a bunch of full-time dirt racers I should be more comfortable.”

Dirt track racing adds to the diversity of the ARCA Racing Series schedule. How does racing at Springfield and DuQuoin prepare you for a fulltime motorsports career?

“The diversity of the ARCA schedule promotes driver adaptation. I feel l will use this skill set as I move forward with my career.”

- Richard Childress Racing Press Release